A life in the bush and in farming can be an education. But some skills and knowledge are learned. Others are just a 'gift'.

Arthur Vinnicombe is a water diviner, helping farmers and rural landholders find precious water sources deep within the earth. He uses a piece of wire and his natural 'gift''.  He's also pretty good at finding buried electrical and telephone lines!

His connection to earth doesn't stop there. He's an avid bush seed collector and hopes to establish native gardens to preserve local plant species.

The Cochlear implant has changed the lives of many - both young and old. One of the men responsible for surgeries that have brough hearing to so many is  Professor William Gibson who has a close connection to the Manning Valley. Listeners may want to check out the group Cicada for more information and connections

Continuing our series on bushfire stories. Today we hear from Bernard and Leah Hunt who run  Parkland Wholesale Nursery business at Tinonee. They had battled drought for months and thought they were prepared for the fire season. In the aftermath, they've been been impressed by their community's response and resilience.

Who could forget the summer of 2019/20? The horrendous fire season destroyed lives, property and wildlife. For many it will be a life changing season, where communities fought the fires together, looked out for each other and hope to rebuild again in recovery. 

Bushfires surrounded the coastal village of Wallabi Point. Kirby shares her story of preparation, evacuation with her three small children and then the start of the recovery process. Despite the odds, her village didn't lose a single house, but it was oh so close and very scary!

Before we get underway with more great tales from extraordinary people with connections to the Manning Valley, we'd like to first thank the composer and performer behind our evocative theme music which we use in every episode.

After discovering a love and talent for guitar as a teenager, Ged Corben has gone on to  tour, play with and supported many of the world't top rock and roll musicians. Most notably he recorded a number of albums as lead guitarist with Lime Spiders. He continues to play in a number of Sydney based rock and folk bands, and with a new lineup ( now Green Spiders) that includes his equally talented son Tom on drums. As a guitar teacher he's taught and inspired hundreds of children through his Inner West Guitar teaching.

Ged has very kindly donated this original composition and performance of 'Waiting For You To Come Along" for use in this podcast (which is, coincidentally, produced by his younger brother Martin). He's another terrific example of the tremendous talent that the Manning Valley gives to the world! We thought you'd like to hear the full version!

We have finished the first season of Tales of the Valley and we hope you have enjoyed hearing and learning from some fascinating people from the Manning Valley.

As we prepare for Season II, we'd like you to have the opportunity to hear one of our guests perform. Tracey Yarad's musical journey was an extraordinary episode, and Tracey has kindly provided us with this song, "Call Me", for your listening pleasure!

Our guest today is a man with deep local connections and commitment to the Manning Valley, and who has literally left his mark!

He’s the man who first installed the Christmas lights on the pine tree at the Manning Base Hospital.

John Ritchie grew up here on the Manning, and he’ll be recounting his early days of life in Taree, where there were not only weekly dances, but also shotguns on the street!

John recount his early days, career opportunities and of course climbing to the top of that tree at the hospital!

Narelle Campbell's dreams of going to the Antarctic began when she was a 16 year old.  She didn't not get to realise that goal until she had achieved success in her business career. Now she has been a team leader at four Australian Antarctic bases. In this episode she shares the story of her journey from Wingham High School to one of  the world's final frontiers. Its fascinating and inspiring! 

Tracey Yarad is from the well-known business family in Taree.

Instead of following the tradition of being in local clothing business, her decision to chase a musical career brought with it both adventure and heartache.  We’ll hear how music is something she simply HAS to do.

She speaks about her late, legendary father, John Yarad, her beginnings in music and her current life in the Big Apple, New York City!

Wendy Machin rose quickly through political ranks to be a local member, speaker of the NSW Parliament and then a leader in a billion-dollar company.

From humble days at Wingham with sawmilling family, she, like so many others from this small country town in the Manning Valley, has made her mark in the world.

Today we’ll hear how her parents and her disabled older sister have had an enormous impact not only on the family, but on her view of our community and the world.